Interview with contributing author Cole Horton about this new edition

When a reference book is created there is a chance that it can become obsolete due to changes made after publication. This is even more likely with Star Wars reference books due to the frequency of new films, books, video games and TV shows being developed and released. Therefore, in order to stay current, publishers, like DK Books, update previously published references to add in new or updated information.

This is the case with Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know. This reference book was originally published in Fall 2015 before The Force Awakens was released. Therefore, an updated edition, Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Updated and Expanded, was created to add in information from The Force Awakens and other Star Wars releases as well after the original publication.

I had the honor of interviewing one of the authors, Cole Horton, who contributed not only to the original edition, but of this updated edition as well. Welcome Cole to The Future of The Force and thank you for answering my questions about Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Updated and Expanded!

What interested you most about working on Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Updated and Expanded in comparison to working on other projects?

I was just excited to be returning to where it all started for me! ‘Absolutely Everything’ was not only my first Star Wars book, it was my first book ever. It was nice to be able to review what Adam Bray, Kerrie Dougherty, Michael Kogge, and I had done a few years ago and also work with the same editorial team at DK. Adam and I provided the updates and it’s always great to work with him.

Since this is an updated edition of a previously released edition, what is different working on it this time than last time?

As I was working on the new edition, I came to recognize just how much has changed since September 2015. Since then, we’ve had two movies and tons of new characters, places, and things. To think—when the first book came out, fans didn’t know anything about Rey, BB-8, Jyn Erso, or Kylo Ren! Now was our chance to get those characters in the book in a more meaningful way.

What areas of this book did you work on in this expanded edition?

Working on this book required a mix of smaller updates in addition to whole new sections. Some of the totally new parts were spreads on Chirrut and Baze, for example. I also added First Order Leaders, Starkiller Base, Finn, and a few others from The Force Awakens. It was also our chance to add some small—but vital—updates to characters like Han Solo and groups like the Geonosians.

What is your favorite new or updated entry or section within this book and why?

I’m really happy with the Thrawn spread. It’s great to give a character from Star Wars Rebels (and the classic novels, of course), his own section just like the other major players in Star Wars. I was even able to reference the recent Thrawn novel, which had not come out yet when I was writing this book.
I also love all of the content from the ‘Journey to The Last Jedi‘. There are interesting looks and hints to the future in this book. It’s a real honor to be part of that program since fans are always hungry for what comes next.

What approach did you take when researching the new content for this book?

I used this book as an opportunity to really study The Force Awakens and Rogue One in the same way that I had spent the last twenty years studying the other films. Sure, I had watched each multiple times, but I hadn’t yet sat down to pick them apart, freeze frames, and think about what the most important information from those films might be.

What is your favorite character or section to work on and why?

Droids. Always droids. Having done the droids in the last version, I was excited to add a new spread on BB-8. I’ve always loved the droids because writing about them is a perfect blend of character and technology. When writing about the leading droids, it’s important to remember that they aren’t just a piece of tech with cool features, they are also characters with emotions, motivations, and relationships just like any other.

Did you learn anything new by working on this edition that you did not know the first time around?

The 2015 edition was the first Star Wars book I wrote, so I feel like I didn’t know anything about the process then! Sure, I knew Star Wars inside and out, but I didn’t know anything about how Star Wars books are made. With this one, I found it much easier to find the tone and voice of the book. I also had a better understanding of the writing and editing process, so everything about this book was faster and easier for me. I had less edits, fewer questions, and more confidence to propose new ideas.

Where can fans find and interact with you?

The best place to find me is on twitter, @ColeHorton.

Thanks again Cole for the interview!

ABOUT STAR WARS: ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, UPDATED AND EXPANDED

Why does Kylo Ren talk to a helmet? What type of trooper guards a tropical beach? With brand new content, including a sneak peek of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi™, discover fun facts about Star Wars characters like Rey, BB-8, Jyn Erso, Admiral Thrawn, and Snoke, and feast your eyes on interesting trivia on locations such as Jedha, Maz Kanata’s castle, and Starkiller Base.

Get a sneak peek of characters, costumes, and creatures from the new movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi. From movie-making trivia to quirky data you never knew you never knew, this book will excite new and old fans alike of that galaxy far.